Cushion Cut Diamonds: The Perfect Blend of Classic and Contemporary
A cushion cut diamond is an ideal choice for anyone torn between the elegance of a round brilliant and the clean geometry of a princess or square cut. Once the dominant diamond shape—long before round brilliants became the standard—the cushion cut has maintained its timeless appeal. With softly rounded corners and a romantic vintage feel, it beautifully bridges the gap between round and square silhouettes.
At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we offer a curated selection of GIA-certified cushion cut diamonds, perfect for engagement rings or bespoke jewelry pieces.
Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
Pros & Cons of Cushion Cut Diamonds
Many couples and jewelers love cushion cuts for their classic, enduring look. Gemologists also praise this shape for its exceptional dispersion of light, or “fire,” making it especially eye-catching.
Compared to round brilliant diamonds, cushion cuts typically offer better value. This is due to:
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Lower demand
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Less cutting waste during production
However, cushion cuts are deeper by design, which means they often face up smaller. To achieve your desired visual size, you may need to choose a slightly larger carat weight.
The 4 C’s of Cushion Cut Diamonds
Cut
Chunky vs. Crushed Ice:
These terms describe how light reflects within the diamond.
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Chunky cushions show broad, bold flashes of light across their facets.
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Crushed ice cushions display smaller, more scattered sparkles reminiscent of broken glass.
Length-to-Width Ratio:
Cushion cuts range from perfectly square to elongated rectangles. We recommend avoiding ratios between 1.06 and 1.10, as stones in this range may appear visually unbalanced.
Standard vs. Modified Brilliant Cushion Cuts:
Since the 1920s, cutters have introduced extra facets beneath the girdle. The difference between standard and modified cuts is subtle and does not significantly affect beauty or durability.
Depth & Table:
Look for cushion cuts with a depth and table under 70%, along with very good or excellent symmetry and polish.
Carat Weight
Cushion cuts tend to appear smaller than round brilliants of the same weight because of their depth. If size is a priority, you may want to consider going up in carat.
Color
Cushion cuts reveal slightly more color than round brilliants, though their overall brilliance helps offset this. For the most balanced appearance, we recommend diamonds with a color grade of H or better.
Clarity
At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we advise choosing clarity grades of SI1 or higher to ensure both beauty and structural integrity.
Learn More
Ready to explore cushion cut diamonds? Email, text, or call Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our highly trained associates. We’re here to help you find the perfect diamond for your dream piece.
